The Youth Advisory Council falls under the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Office of Youth Development.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cInvesting in young people means investing in the future of Long Beach,\u201d said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. \u201cOur Youth Advisory Council continues to demonstrate that young people bring valuable ideas, fresh perspectives and real leadership to City decision making. Their voices help shape policies and programs that strengthen our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/year-5-youth-advisory-council.png\")
The fourth-ever cohort of the Long Beach Youth Advisory Council. (Courtesy of the City of Long Beach). <\/p>\n
Eligibility requirements for the Youth Advisory Council include the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Be between 16 and 26 years old by Sept. 1<\/p>\n
Live in Long Beach<\/p>\n
Be available to attend two-hour meetings twice each month at locations across the city<\/p>\n
Have a passion for issues affecting youth in Long Beach<\/p>\n
The Youth Advisory Council consists of nine members representing each of the Long Beach City Council districts and two at-large members pursuing health equity in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by violence, poverty and adverse health outcomes. According to the City, the members ensure diverse youth perspectives are reflected in City initiatives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additional benefits for members include a $50 stipend per meeting, up to $1,100 for the full term, as well as professional coaching and leadership development opportunities courtesy of City Staff.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Applications can be accessed through the online application portal<\/a>. Youth who don\u2019t have computer or smartphone access may submit an application at the Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.), at any of the dozen Long Beach Public Library<\/a> branches or at one of the six Parks, Recreation and Marine Teen Centers<\/a> during regular business hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those who have been selected will be notified around four weeks after the application deadline.<\/p>\n \u201cServing on the Youth Advisory Council changed the way I think about leadership and civic engagement,\u201d said Nyechelle Shaw, current Youth Advisory Councilmember, in a public statement. \u201cWe weren\u2019t just asked for our opinions, we were trusted to help shape real projects that affect young people across Long Beach. It showed me that youth voices aren\u2019t just valued: they\u2019re essential.\u201d<\/p>\n This past year, Youth Advisory Council members have participated in the City\u2019s Mental Health is Just Health<\/a> campaign and the Youth Voices series with the Long Beach Community Action Partnership and the Public Access Digital Network. They\u2019ve also guided the Youth Power Participatory Budgeting<\/a> process for Measure US Youth Fund investments and organized the three-day youth empowerment event Youth Connect 2026<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Youth Advisory Council was founded in 2022 as a result of that year\u2019s Youth Design Sessions and is aligned with Long Beach\u2019s Youth & Emerging Adults Strategic Plan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information about Long Beach\u2019s Youth Advisory Council and Office of Youth Development, check out longbeach.gov\/youth<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Obama_Library_NorthLB-9.jpg\")
The adult computer lab at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood library on January 4, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)<\/p>\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Signal_Tribune_Ad_1-1-3-pdf.jpg\")
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